Xu Chunliang nodded: "Listening to you, it seems to make sense, but I still really want to get to know you."

Liu Haiyu parked the motorcycle by the roadside and pointed to the lakeside, "Let’s talk over there."

Xu Chunliang followed Liu Haiyu to the lakeside. Liu Haiyu took out a crumpled pack of cigarettes from his pocket, offered one to Xu Chunliang, who declined.

Liu Haiyu pulled out a cigarette, and Xu Chunliang took out a lighter to help him light it.

Liu Haiyu paused for a moment but still bowed his head to light the cigarette, pondering this guy’s purpose.

Xu Chunliang said, "Thank you!"

Liu Haiyu smiled, "Why thank me?"

Xu Chunliang said, "When I was working at Weishan Island Hospital, someone slid a letter under my door one night, warning me to beware of someone setting a trap for revenge."

Liu Haiyu said, "Others wouldn’t help you for no reason; maybe you did them a favor first, so they reciprocated. It’s nice to have no debts and forget about each other in the Jianghu."

Actually, both of them already understood that the other had recognized them. Setting aside their identities, there was no enmity between them. Xu Chunliang had helped Liu Haiyu, and Liu Haiyu had also warned Xu Chunliang.

Xu Chunliang said, "Not long ago, a tunnel was discovered underground at the Weishan Island Winery, and the other end of the tunnel was just below the old site of Yu Shuqing Restaurant."

Liu Haiyu said, "Are you a cop?"

Xu Chunliang shook his head, "I’m not a cop, I just know some cops."

Liu Haiyu smiled, "Young man, what you see is not the whole world. I can only advise you not to get involved with people like me from the Jianghu. Although you do have some skills, once you’re involved with the Jianghu, your life will be full of troubles. Why bring that upon yourself?"

Xu Chunliang asked, "What’s under the winery?"

Liu Haiyu said, "It’s rumored to be Zhang Liang’s Tomb, where Zhang Zifang was buried with ’The Art of War by Taigong’ and the ’Plain Text’ passed to him by Huang Shigong."

Xu Chunliang said, "Those two things are antiques."

Liu Haiyu laughed, "There are no antiques. What’s under the winery isn’t Zhang Liang’s Tomb. It had been visited countless times before I ever got in."

Xu Chunliang looked at him skeptically.

Liu Haiyu said, "The people who set the snake trap for you and the ones who caused the gas explosion are the same group. They went after me because I intercepted their goods. At that time, I didn’t know you had a grudge against them. When I noticed they were after you, I remembered you saving my life and left you a note."

Xu Chunliang asked, "What did you steal from them?"

Liu Haiyu smiled faintly, his gaze drifting to the distant lake, "Just some stolen goods."

Xu Chunliang said, "So you’re a chivalrous thief."

Liu Haiyu laughed heartily, "I wouldn’t call myself a chivalrous thief, but I never do things that are against conscience, and I certainly don’t sell our ancestors’ things to foreigners for money. At most, one might call it a thief with principles."

Xu Chunliang asked, "Since you escaped, why not go farther away?"

Liu Haiyu said, "Haven’t you heard? The most dangerous places are often the safest. The situation around Weishan Lake is quite complex; it used to be a no-man’s-land. Besides, I’ve gotten used to life here, and I can’t bear to leave."

Xu Chunliang didn’t believe a word of it. The only reason that could make a big thief stay despite the risks was his ambitions. There were many ancient sites and Han Tombs around, maybe he still planned to continue his misdeeds.

Liu Haiyu took a puff of his cigarette and said, "I’ve told you everything. If you really want to call the police, I won’t stop you."

Xu Chunliang said, "I’m not interested in meddling in other people’s business."

Hearing this, Liu Haiyu was slightly relieved. It seemed Xu Chunliang didn’t come for him, nor did he intend to report him, "So you’re just here to eat?"

Xu Chunliang said, "Eating is secondary. I’m here to find someone named Shi Taiping."

Liu Haiyu was taken aback, "Shi Taiping?"

Xu Chunliang said, "What? You know him?"

Liu Haiyu nodded, "This guy is quite famous in Jizhou, claiming to be a descendant of Drum-top Flea Shi Qian, and indeed a master thief. I remember he was released three years ago and claimed to have turned over a new leaf. He even opened a Bogu Pavilion in Jizhou Ancient City."

Xu Chunliang said, "That’s right, it’s him."

"What do you want with him?"

Xu Chunliang said, "A friend of mine is collecting oracle bone script, and it happens he has some, so I’m looking to make a deal with him."

Liu Haiyu asked, "What kind of oracle bone script? Let me see."

Xu Chunliang pulled up some photos on his phone to show him. After looking them over, Liu Haiyu said, "Aren’t there lots of things like this?"

Xu Chunliang said, "The valuable part isn’t the dragon bones themselves, but the writing on them."

Liu Haiyu asked, "How much does he want for them?"

Xu Chunliang said, "He has seven pieces, asking for over ten million."

Liu Haiyu gasped, saying, "That’s a daring price, no wonder the market for dragon bones is on the rise recently."

Xu Chunliang said, "Do you have any on hand? If you do, I can introduce you to buyers."

Liu Haiyu replied, "Give me five million, and I’ll help you get those dragon bones."

Xu Chunliang couldn’t help but laugh, Liu Haiyu wanted to double-cross—Mo Han had plenty of money, and since both parties were willing to engage, there was no need for him to complicate things further. If he really wanted to double-cross, he wouldn’t need Liu Haiyu’s involvement.

Liu Haiyu said, "Three million, just give me three million." Before Xu Chunliang could answer, he lowered the price himself.

Xu Chunliang couldn’t resist teasing him, "I might consider thirty hundred thousand."

"Deal!"

Xu Chunliang then realized he wasn’t good at bargaining after all.

The deposit for Shi Taiping still needed to be given. Xu Chunliang handed the account details to Mo Han, who generously transferred two million into the account without hesitation.

That day, Xu Chunliang didn’t return to Weishan Island by boat; he let Wang Jinwu and Pu Jian go first.

Shi Taiping quickly contacted him after confirming the arrival of the two million, stating he could take him to see the artifact that night, but he also had a condition: Xu Chunliang could only bring one other person with him.

Bai Mushan arrived that afternoon at the Jizhou Ancient City, accompanied by his student, Xue Anliang, and two other companions, who were tall and strong, clearly martial artists.

Xu Chunliang had no objections; since Mo Han had spent the money, it was natural to ensure the safety of the investment, though Mo Han didn’t come in person this time.

Xu Chunliang and Xue Anliang hadn’t seen each other for a while. Xue Anliang had mixed feelings toward Xu Chunliang, both fear and hatred. In Nanjiang, he tried to steal the dragon bone from Xu Chunliang, only to end up being schemed, poisoned with a deadly toxin, forcing him to beg at Xu Chunliang’s doorstep.

Now Xue Anliang was still relying on the Red Flame Pill given by Xu Chunliang to rid his body of the toxin, which was said to take a year for full detoxification. Xue Anliang pretended as if nothing was wrong; he didn’t want others to know the secret between him and Xu Chunliang. Xu Chunliang also avoided contact with him to prevent arousing suspicion, keeping Xue Anliang by Bai Mushan’s side for potential use.

At seven that evening, Xu Chunliang, Bai Mushan, and their party of five arrived at Taibaiwa Qingshan Village. Xu Chunliang had actually been there earlier in the morning, but Shi Taiping wasn’t present then. Since Shi Taiping had made it clear earlier, Xue Anliang and the other two waited at the village entrance parking lot while Xu Chunliang and Bai Mushan went to meet Shi Taiping.

Shi Taiping had returned home, with no one else there, leaving the door ajar, specifically waiting for their arrival.

Their intentions were clear, skipping the formalities.

Bai Mushan got straight to the point, "Where is the item?"

Shi Taiping first took out a rubbing, which Bai Mushan examined meticulously.

While he studied the rubbing, Xu Chunliang stood up to tour Shi Taiping’s courtyard, with Shi Taiping following behind, whispering, "You didn’t bring anyone else, did you?"

Xu Chunliang replied crossly, "You want us to walk all this way? The driver is waiting at the village entrance."

Shi Taiping nodded, then asked, "Does he understand oracle bone script?"

Xu Chunliang said, "You sure have a lot of questions. Why don’t you tell me first, where did these dragon bones come from?"

Shi Taiping said, "It’s all legitimate sources. I’m actually just commissioned by someone."

Bai Mushan had been scrutinizing it for about five minutes, then called them over to ask Shi Taiping to take out the original piece to see.

Shi Taiping said, "The item is not here."

Bai Mushan, annoyed, said, "You’ve received the deposit, and now you’re telling me the item isn’t here?" Spending two million only to not see the genuine piece would upset anyone.

Shi Taiping said, "It’s not mine. I’m just following the seller’s instructions."

Xu Chunliang said, "Do you want to sell or not? If not, let’s just forget it."

Shi Taiping smiled, "There’s something I didn’t mention. Actually, the seller has a total of thirty-six dragon bones."

Bai Mushan was delighted, though externally he remained composed. If the opposing party indeed had thirty-six dragon bones, this set might be complete at once.

Xu Chunliang watched coldly, knowing he couldn’t afford it anyway. Yet with his ability to read and understand, he could discern the authenticity with just one look, certainly more reliable than Bai Mushan, the expert. He was pleased to see the parties strike a deal.

Bai Mushan said, "If the dragon bones you have are the ones I want, I’ll buy as many as you have."

Xu Chunliang sighed inwardly, it was clear Bai Mushan had no qualms spending Luan Yuchuan’s money. From his tone, they were obviously partners, sharing mutual interests. Considering Bai Mushan’s vanished cancer and Luan Yuchuan’s miraculous recovery from coronary heart disease, it wasn’t surprising they had teamed up.

Shi Taiping, however, shook his head, "The seller changed their mind."

Bai Mushan said coldly, "Are you toying with us?"

Shi Taiping said, "Please let me finish. The seller’s condition is, they don’t want money; they want a trade."

Bai Mushan was taken aback, "A trade?"